Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill Report Stage: New Clause 14

Parliament voted on 12 May 2025 on New Clause 14, a Conservative amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill that would have disapplied the Human Rights Act from immigration functions. This would have meant UK courts could no longer use the European Convention on Human Rights to block or constrain immigration and deportation decisions. The amendment was defeated by 402 votes to 98. The practical effect of the amendment, if passed, would have been to strip ECHR-based protections from decisions made in the immigration system, removing the ability of UK judges to rely on convention rights when adjudicating cases involving removal or deportation. Its supporters argued that judicial use of the Human Rights Act, particularly articles 3 and 8 of the ECHR covering freedom from torture and the right to a private and family life, has frustrated attempts to remove people who have crossed the Channel illegally. Its opponents argued that disapplying human rights law from immigration functions would undermine fundamental legal protections and Britain's standing among European democracies. The Conservatives supplied 85 of the 98 ayes, with Reform UK contributing 8 and two Liberal Democrats and one Independent also voting in favour. All 288 voting Labour MPs, all 32 voting Labour and Co-operative MPs, 61 Liberal Democrats, 7 SNP members, 4 Greens, 3 Plaid Cymru members and several others voted against. The amendment sat alongside several other Conservative new clauses pushed to a vote on the same evening, all defeated by similar margins. The bill itself passed its Third Reading the same night by 316 votes to 95.